Why I didn’t do a PhD: consulting rocks

Throughout my 20s, I thought about doing a PhD. A three or four trusted mentors encouraged me to go after a PhD, because I love research, discovery, writing, publishing and teaching. I thought about it really seriously, but, in the end, I changed my mind.

Why? I realized I could achieve all those goals through my consulting business. As a consultant, I have:

Mentored students, new workers, contractors and new consultants

Coached entrepreneurs and executives

Published three ebooks

Written more than 1,300 articles – for magazines, books, websites and blogs

Researched everything from Shakespeare to hubs and routers and from dental implants to banking software

Had my work featured in a textbook

Developed a course to help people start and run consulting businesses

Taught at the university level, including for the University of British Columbia

Been invited to speak at association

Been hired to speak professionally

Developed a consulting methodology based on my independent research

Earned a very competitive living

In the next few years, as time allows, I expect to expand my business, publish a book in print, and do more speaking.

I can’t think of a reason to do a PhD. I mean, I could become a prof, but I no longer see a need to do so.